Many do not realize that PAWS is not a government agency, is not set up for rapid deployment and does not primarily rescue or pick up strays. If you share the same thoughts, we hope you are now enlightened and can help us enlighten others.

WHAT PAWS IS NOT (most common public misconceptions of PAWS):

like the SPCAs or humane societies in other countries, or the Animal cops they see on TV - which enjoy government funding, are heavily supported by donations, can afford investigators and roving patrol officers with roving patrol cabs 24/7, have ready legal enforcement back up, where merely reporting anonymously is sufficient, where they have ample space, and full staff of vets, office staff, caretakers

set up for rapid deployment for rescues/emergency cases like the police, fire stations or ambulances

a legal enforcement agency or part of the government

an organization to call to demand pick-up or rescue of an animal without cooperating or providing complete information and affidavit

an organization that has international funding with enough funds and resources that rescues can be done anytime, anywhere

a place to bring (or drop off) stray, sick, injured animals or owned pets and just leave it there (FYI, there is no confinement or boarding at the PAWS clinic)

a place where owners can drop off pets they can't or no longer want to keep or take care of anymore (This is Abandonment - which contradicts PAWS' campaigns of Responsible Pet Ownership and A Pet Is A Lifetime Commitment, and is a violation of the Amended Animal Welfare Act.)

an animal control facility/pound (FYI, the city government/LGU is in-charge of animal control and for collecting strays and abandoned animals for impounding)

an organization you can complain to when you buy a pet from a petshop or irresponsible breeder and the pet turns out sick/dies (unless the complaint is about the neglect or cruelty done to the pet) - (FYI, the Bureau of Animal Industry: Animal Welfare Division is responsible for regulating and monitoring kennels/pet shops/breeding facilities)

WHAT PAWS IS:

a volunteer-based charity non-government animal welfare organization based in Quezon City, Metro Manila that is not funded by the government,

a non-profit NGO (non-govt organization) without arresting or owned pet seizing powers granted by the Philippine gov't (these have to be done in coordination with the police through affidavit as legal basis)

a NGO that operates and survives on limited manpower, resources, funds and space --- multitasking skeletal office staff, 1 vet (who attends to the shelter animals as well as the patients of the low-cost clinic for consultations and spay/neuter), 300+ animals with only 4 caretakers, 1 service vehicle

relies on funds from donations and fundraisers, and the availability of unpaid volunteers (ordinary citizens just like you who have jobs or attend school and just donate their time when able).

WHAT PAWS Animal Rehabilitation Center (PARC) is:

a limited-admission shelter (currently full with over 300 animals and only 4 caretakers)

primarily for rescued dogs and cats that are subjects of criminal charges filed by PAWS against animal offenders and irresponsible owners (i.e., cruelty or neglect cases).

secondarily for dogs/cats in distress, in imminent danger of losing life or limb and needs medical monitoring (i.e., injured strays, abandoned dogs/cats), and with willing fosterers already on standby

breach of quarantine protocols or overcrowding is not allowed as this risks the health, well-being and compromises the quality of care being given to the shelter animals that are under rehabilitation or were already nursed back to health.

WHAT PAWS DOES:

information dissemination, humane education/awareness

low-cost spay-neuter (kapon)

low-cost veterinary services

prosecution (file and pursue cases against animal offenders with the cooperation of willing witnesses who submit affidavits), lobby work and campaigns

rehabilitation and rehoming (for the 200+ cats and 70+ dogs currently at the shelter who are victims of animal cruelty and neglect and have cases pending)

disaster-relief

animal-assisted therapy program

trap-neuter-return (for stray cats)

--- all within our capabilities and limitations of our resources as a NGO.--- Education, lobbying, prosecution and spay-neuter programs of PAWS are preventive acts against animal cruelty, neglect and abandonment. PAWS wishes to tackle the ROOT of the problem, not just provide a solution to the symptoms of the problem.

As a non-profit NGO with no seizing or arresting powers, PAWS normally should just be asking people to report neglect and cruelty cases to the police and the police will take necessary steps in helping out ordinary citizens. But we've seen firsthand how undermanned (and uninformed) our police stations are so we have taken it upon ourselves to help file criminal cases. All we ask for is the affidavit from witnesses or people with personal knowledge of the cruel acts because it saves us from having to do investigations. PAWS simply does not have enough manpower or funding for these investigations.

We need ordinary people, volunteers like yourself, to help us. Be proactive.

Do more than just report in a stray or animal for rescue.

Do more than just email/post "please check this", "please take action", "please rescue this dog/cat".

Foster the animal you are reporting about, or help find a foster.

For stray reports, always provide concrete information when reporting:- your name and contact number (for coordination)- barangay contact info (where dog/cat in need of help is located)- exact address of animal in need of help (include landmarks if needed)- willingness to temporarily care for the animal until space opens at the shelter

For cruelty or neglect reports, submit your witness affidavit.

Help us do the leg work. By doing that, you just rescued an animal and helped us rescue more. The answers are all in our FAQs. We cannot answer all your queries via email or in Facebook because it takes time away from our staff and very few active volunteers to rescue and care for other animals in more distressed conditions.

There is no other PAWS branch. The PAWS ANIMAL REHABILITATION CENTER (aka PAWS shelter or PARC) and the PARC Clinic is only located in Quezon City, Metro Manila. PAWS does not have offices in the province either. We do coordinate with other animal welfare organizations. (Read FAQ on PAWS branches)

****

The PAWS shelter is full.We are very much willing to offer VET ASSISTANCE to those who report strays, abandoned dogs/cats or rescue emergencies to us, but unfortunately, NOT FOR ADMISSION. We ask all those who are reporting stray or rescue emergencies to foster (temporarily keep) the rescued animal until space opens up at the shelter.

We hope concerned citizens understand that PARC has strict quarantine protocols and cannot afford to overcrowd the shelter because this compromises the health, general welfare and quality of care given to the existing shelter animals, given the limited resources and manpower of PAWS as an non-government organization without funding from the govt and who relies on donations to keep the shelter running.

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.